UB’s football team (2-1, 0-0 MAC) beat the University at Massachusetts Minutemen (1-2, 0-0 A10) at UB Stadium on Saturday afternoon with a score of 34-3. This was UMass’s first appearance at UB Stadium since 2015 and marks their last meeting as a non-conference opponent, as the Minutemen are slated to become members of the MAC in 2025.
While the Minutemen started with the ball, their opening drive left them pointless, and they stayed that way for the remainder of the first quarter. Graduate wide receiver JJ Jenkins was able to bring home a touchdown on the opening drive following a 40-yard pass from senior quarterback CJ Ogbonna.
The Bulls extended their lead after a 27 yard field goal conversion in the first drive of the second quarter, bringing the score to 10-0. UMass also put their first points on the board, scoring a 34-yard field goal after a long possession of the ball. The play had four first downs, but the Bulls’ defense forced them to a 4th & 6 situation, with no other option than to kick. UMass tried to catch up with a second field goal with their next possession, but were unable to score from 45 yards in the final seconds of the quarter.
UB continued to push forward and kicked another successful field goal from 34 yards on their opening drive of the second half. UMass also started strong, but their quarterback was sacked by graduate linebacker Shaun Dolac, who later broke up a pass, forcing the Minutemen to another punt. The Bulls later scored again with a touchdown, with Ogbonna running it in from eight yards. As if that wasn’t enough, redshirt junior cornerback Marquis Cooper intercepted the ball on the very next play for a 100 yard return. This won the Bulls six more points to finish out the third quarter, bringing the score to 20-3.
In the fourth and final quarter, UMass couldn’t seem to keep the ball, with two three-and-outs. With an eight minute and 47 second possession, the Bulls were able to secure the final touchdown, and win, for UB.
The UB Bulls will next take on Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Illinois. The game will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 3:30 p.m.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
